Waiting for Johnny Appleseed Trees at the Strawbridge Shepherd House

Robert Wadlow is born in Alton, Illinois. He holds the record for the tallest human being and suffered from hyperplasia of the pituitary gland. At the time of his death at age 22, he was 8'11.1" tall and weighed 439 lbs. His growth had not stopped.

Historical Markers

Since 1934, the Illinois State Historical Society has erected more than 500 historical markers statewide. Subjects of historical significance to Illinois are co-sponsored by local organizations and supporters. The Illinois State Historical Society coordinates the placement and management of historical markers throughout the state.

Submit your Bicentennial event

Are you an event organizer? Got an event you want on our Bicentennial calendar? Use the form below to submit it and after a quick review it'll be added to our events calendar. The form captures much more than just Bicentennial events though so please add any of your regular events, just select accordingly. The goal is to add events from all over the state to celebrate Illinois' rich history. Get involved and help us fill our calendar and get the word out about events in your area.

Submit a News Item/Event

Please use the form below to submit your news item/event for consideration to be added to the Illinois State Historical Society website. Upon review it, you will be emailed the status of the submission and possibly asked for additional information. If approved we will post your submission on our news roll and/or calendar of events.

Please do not use this form to submit or follow-up on submissions for the Illinois Heritage or Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Instead visit the links below for the correct information.

Submit a News Item/Event

Please use the form below to submit your news item/event for consideration to be added to the Illinois State Historical Society website. Upon review it, you will be emailed the status of the submission and possibly asked for additional information. If approved we will post your submission on our news roll and/or calendar of events.

Please do not use this form to submit or follow-up on submissions for the Illinois Heritage or Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Instead visit the links below for the correct information.

General Information (Step 2 of 3)

Submit a News Item/Event

Please use the form below to submit your news item/event for consideration to be added to the Illinois State Historical Society website. Upon review it, you will be emailed the status of the submission and possibly asked for additional information. If approved we will post your submission on our news roll and/or calendar of events.

Please do not use this form to submit or follow-up on submissions for the Illinois Heritage or Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Instead visit the links below for the correct information.

In honor of the Bicentennial of Illinois, the Museum is pleased to welcome Dr. G. Logan Miller, assistant professor of anthropology at Illinois State University, who will present a program about the recent archaeological findings at the Noble-Wieting Site this past summer. The program will be held on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Governor Fifer Courtroom and is free and open to the public.

Elizabeth Alexander and Nell Clay, board members of the Central Illinois African American History Museum, will share the vision of the city's newest cultural center as they present We Have a Dream: The Future of Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum. Dr. James Cornelius, Curator, Henry Horner Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, will present Lincoln, Lost and Found: Mysteries and Wonders of Illinois' Lincoln Collection.

Nature needs people to remain healthy and Douglas Chien from Friends of the Forest Preserves will discuss how people work together to restore healthy nature in our forest preserves and some of the challenges as we move towards the next 100 years.